LAMMER Kinase Lkh1 Is an Upstream Regulator of Prk1-Mediated Non-Sexual Flocculation in Fission Yeast

The cation-dependent galactose-specific flocculation activity of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe null mutant of lkh1⁺, the gene encoding LAMMER kinase homolog, has previously been reported by our group. Here, we show that disruption of prk1⁺, another flocculation associated regulatory kinase encoding gene, also resulted in cation-dependent galactose-specific flocculation. Deletion of prk1 increased the flocculation phenotype of the lkh1⁺ null mutant and its overexpression reversed the flocculation of cells caused by lkh1 deletion. Transcript levels of prk1⁺ were also decreased by lkh1⁺ deletion. Cumulatively, these results indicate that Lkh1 is one of the negative regulators acting upstream of Prk1, regulating non-sexual flocculation in fission yeast.

Medicolegal Problems in Pediatric Area / 소아과

PURPOSE: Medicolegal problems start when the patient asserts the mistake of doctor and doctor does not accept it. The purpose of this study is to assess the actual condition of medicolegal problems and to provide solutions of medicolegal problems in the pediatric field. METHODS: There is not official statistical data about medicolegal problems in our country. We gathered data of legal insurance program of Korean Medical Association (KMA) and court cases and other fragmentary data. RESULTS: Between 1981 and 1995, of total 2, 338 cases reported to legal problem insurance program of KMA, most common ones were 748 cases of obstetrics and gynecology. Pediatric case was ranked at the 5th, 74 cases (3.1%). According to analysis of 41 medicolegal cases' after 1990, maltreatment of patient had the highest incidence of 14 cases, injection and medication were related to 12 cases, misdiagnosis was 9 cases, patient management were related to 4 cases, and others were 2 cases. The trial result of the medicolegal cases was that 31 cases were compensated, and 8 cases were defeated, and 2 cases were still in the process. CONCLUSION: The aspect of medical legal problem has the tendency of radicalism and systematization. This brings an economic destitution in the patient and gives damage to a doctor. In order to reduce medicolegal problem, doctor should offer a duty of explanation and efforts to his best to satisfy patient and endeavor to make an intimate doctor-patient relationship.

Study of Urinary Leukotriene E4 and Eosinophil Cationic Protein in Nasopharyngeal Aspiration from Wheezing Infants / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Although early detection of airway inflammation is important to enable early prevention and treatment, it is not easy to differentiate clinically between respiratory virus- induced bronchiolitis and infantile asthma during a wheezing attack. Leukotriens (LTs) are known as a mediator of airway adhesions and inflammations, such as constricted airways and increased mucus secretions. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is one of the cytotoxic proteins released from the granules of activated eosinophils, which have a role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation. The aim of our study was to evaluate differences in urinary LTE4 and nasopharyngeal ECP levels between children with bronchiolitis and children with infantile asthma by using noninvasive techniques. METHODS: We recruited 32 children whose chief complaint was wheezing (20 non-atopic and 12 atopic children) and 18 controls without wheezing for this study. Urine and nasopharyngeal samples were collected on the day of admission. Samples were stored at -70degrees C until measurement. Nasopharyngeal ECP were measured by using UniCap (Pharmacia CAP FEIA, Pharmacia Diagostics, Uppsala, Sweden). Urine LTE4 level were measured by ACE enzyme immunoassay kit (Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI, USA). RESULTS: Children with infantile asthma have significantly higher LTE4 levels than children with bronchiolitis. Nasopharyngeal ECP levels were significantly different in children with/without wheezing. Furthermore, urinary LTE4 was significantly correlated with nasopharyngeal ECP, serum total eosinophil, serum IgE level, and respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSION: Urinary LTE4 and nasopharyngeal ECP were significantly different between children with bronchiolitis and infantile asthma. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical application of our findings.